News from the virtual world: -TAKE IT AWAY: Electronic Arts, the Borg collective of video-game publishers, wants to assimilate Take-Two Interactive. But Take-Two says it isn't interested - at least not until April 30, when its sure-to-be-a-blockbuster ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' goes on sale.

With the holidays right around the corner, this time of year is easily the hotbed for big video game releases. However, a lot of the great games coming out are drowned out by the enormity of the new releases – and plenty of those games are simple cash-ins that are going to be traded in in January. So, here is a rundown of what to buy for yourself or loved ones this year, listed by intended audience. Part 3 - Everyone:

There are always drastic changes in the off season of a sport. Players are drafted, signed, traded, and cut. However, I don’t think you could convince anyone who follows basketball that the Celtics – yes, those Celtics – would be one of the best teams in the league one month after the NBA draft.